THE DROP : July 19th 2015

Toronto, ON, Canada / 102.1 the Edge

July 19, 2015 10:47 pm

Is it just me or is every week getting better and better as far as music?

1. CHVRCHES – Leave A Trace

The Scottish electronic trio, CHVRCHES, have put out a new single called “Leave A Trace” – a track that suggests a promising follow up record to their massive 2013 debut The Bones Of What You Believe. With the world waiting in anticipation for a the new record, most artists (and their managers and labels) would be feeling the pressure and call the biggest producer they could afford to keep the momentum going. But not Chvrches. They went straight back to the same converted apartment studio in Glasgow, added a couple new instruments and produced the whole thing themselves all over again. Huge props to that. Currently known for the song “The Mother We Share”, we can pretty much guarantee that will be overshadowed by this new tune. The new record, Every Open Eye, is out September 25th.

2. MATTHEW GOOD – All You Sons And Daughters

Not to make you feel like you’re old or anything, but Matt Good has been putting out records for twenty years now. Ten studio albums, nearly one million in albums sold (Canada only!) and twenty Juno nods. He should be celebrating. The new single called “All You Sons And Daughters” came with the announcement of a new record, Chaotic Neutral.

This song doesn’t seem to be online so check out one of his best songs ever.

3. WHITE REAPER – Make Me Wanna Die

You’ll be surprised to discover that this band is not from the UK or New York City. The psychedelic garage-rock trio out of Kentucky is nothing short of just pure rock n roll and could very well lead the way in the first wave of garage rock revival. It’s simple, it’s wild and it’s a ridiculous amount of fun. If you’ve ever dreamed of what Oasis would sound like as a punk rock band, you dream has come true. The new record, White Reaper Does Is Again, just came out on Friday and is available everywhere now.

4. CITY AND COLOUR – Woman

Dallas Green of City And Colour has released this nine-minute tease of a song while we sit and wait for the details on his new record and an official single!! Stay tuned tomorrow for all the info!

5. MAXIMUM BALLOON – Let It Grow (ft. Karen O & Tunde Adebimpe)

This track takes everything cool about the New York music scene and mashed it into five minutes of a gorgeous love song. Dave Sitek of New York indie rockers, TV On The Radio, has a side project called Maximum Balloon, and clearly hangs out with some super cool people. Featured on this track is Karen O, the lead singer of Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and Sitek’s bandmate, Tunde Adebimpe, lead singer of TV On The Radio.

6. SAN FERMIN – Emily

Speaking of New York, San Fermin is an 8-piece band born out of Brooklyn that takes a page out of The National’s secret book of music recipes. This is off their sophomore record, Jackrabbit, in stores now!

7. ASCOT ROYALS – The Best Is Yet To Come

Hailing from all over Southern Ontario, I don’t think any of these guys were actually born here, but definitely raised! Remember that Sick Puppies song about free hugs? This is the sequel and now I need a hug. Please send help.

8. THE FRANKLIN ELECTRIC – Strongest Man Alice

One of the best weeks for Toronto music fans is ahead of us, starting with Edgefest 1. While most of the water cooler talk is about Elle King, Milky Chance and X Ambassadors, the Emerging Artist stage is crawling with talent. JJ & The Pillars, The Zolas, and these guys – The Franklin Electric – an alt-folk band out of Montreal. Lead singer Jon Matte says “a song is like a friend or a lover. The more you listen to it, the more you get an understanding of their complexity and it sometimes creates this magical feeling that surges without us expecting it.” Can definitely feel that from this beautiful track. This would fit in perfectly with The Garden State soundtrack.

9. ODESZA – It’s Only (ft. Zyra)

In case you couldn’t tell, people are jacked for WayHome Festival in Barrie next weekend, as they should be. Since this awesome electronic band from Seattle is playing, I thought I’d take the opportunity to once again introduce to you their record, In Return, and this tune. It’s super dark and quirky but so incredibly deep at the same time. I’m obsessed.

10. ALICE GLASS – Stillbirth

We heard new music from Crystal Castles last week on The Drop and this week, it’s time for the other half of the original Crystal Castle line-up to get some words in. After announcing her departure from the band last October, all we got a message on her Facebook that implied she couldn’t be true to herself within the confines of Crystal Castles, but with this new single, we have quite a bit more clarity on the demise of her relationship with Ethan Kath. If you ever need a soundtrack to trashing a hotel or maybe something more innocent yet cathartic, this is what it would sound like. Also, when you buy this song online, the proceeds go to organizations that help victims of violence and sexual abuse. It’s only 99 cents, you can’t say no.

11. THE STRUTS – Could Have Been Me

This is a new music request from Christopher L – he wanted to hear this band on the Drop tonight, a glam-rock indie rock n roll four-piece from England. Their influences span from The Killers to Queen and The Rolling Stones…and I’m gonna throw The Darkness in their too : )